Clements said it was a big challenge to turn all the firm’s stores, originally designed to have a masculine feel, into a more attractive offering for female consumers.

“We have made significant progress in ensuring stores are easier to navigate, more decorative and have dedicated zones for lighting, tiling, bathrooms and kitchens,” he said. “B&Q is training 800 employees to advise on such things as how to hang wallpaper or how to style a room. We are also trialling a handy­man service.”

While B&Q has a 50/50 gender employment split across the business, there is only one female board member. But Clements said the company had doubled the number of women at the management level below the board.